Ratio hike 'no signal of policy change'

Measure on 6 banks to freeze 200 billion yuan to limit loan capacity

BEIJING - The hike in banks' reserve requirement ratio by China's central bank signaled policymakers' aim to rein in excess liquidity and curb rising inflation but the move may not signal a shift in its policy stance toward tightening, analysts said on Tuesday.

The People's Bank of China on Monday increased the reserve requirement ratio for six lenders by 50 basis points to 17.5 percent for two months.